From Morning to Evening
Shrey had spent the entire day searching for Prakhar in different hostels and hotels, but it felt like the earth had swallowed him whole—or the sky had taken him—there was no trace of him anywhere.
Shrey was beginning to lose hope. Pranay had taken his beloved "Rampyaari" (bike) to get diesel, while Shrey sat on a pavement, watching the cars pass by.
"This is how I am... I can't keep anyone happy... everyone gets frustrated with me... I only bring sadness to people... Dad was right—I'm nothing but a burden, someone who can only snatch away happiness..."He sat there on the roadside, sobbing.
At a Club...
Twinkling lights, people dancing, the air thick with the scent of alcohol...
A man in a black hoodie and black mask rushed into the club.
"Where?" he asked silently with his eyes.
The manager pointed in a direction.
The hooded man strode quickly toward that direction, barely restraining his urge to kick the person lying on the sofa.
Reaching him, he spoke firmly—"Kunwar Sa..."
The man lying down smiled and said, "So you've come after all..."
"You shouldn't be here," the hooded man said while helping him up.
"Then where should I be, hmm?" the man murmured, swaying in his arms.
"Ugh, what a pain," the hooded man muttered. "Kunwar Sa" smiled mischievously.
Lifting him onto his back, the hooded man began walking out. The manager bowed his head at the sight of them.
"Kunwar came here—no one should know that," the hooded man warned as he walked past.
"As you wish..." the manager replied, still with his head lowered.
As they reached the car, a loud gunshot rang out.
"Sh*t..." the hooded man hissed and quickly brought Kunwar down from his back, shielding him behind a car with his arms.
"So romantic..." Kunwar teased, looping his arms around his savior's neck.
"Enough, Kunwar! Your life is at stake, and you're joking around?"
"My life...? That's you..." Kunwar whispered, brushing his fingers along the man's cheek.
"If you weren't Kunwar, I'd have killed you myself."
"To die by your hands would be an honor..." Kunwar said, climbing into his lap.
"What are you doing, Kunwar Sa?" the hooded man started to move away, but another gunshot made him hold Kunwar tightly again.
"There's peace here..." Kunwar said, resting his head against the man's chest.
"Peace...? That left long ago..." the hooded man murmured again.
Kunwar soon fell asleep on his chest.
The hooded man lifted him again and spoke through his Bluetooth earpiece:"Clear the path."
"Okay, sir," came the response.
As soon as the confirmation came, the hooded man carried Kunwar to the car, placed him inside, and took the driver's seat. He drove as fast as he could.
A few moments later, he removed his mask.
It was Prakhar.
"You're looking hot today..." Kunwar said, trying to touch him.
"Stay in your limits, Kunwar," Prakhar said, brushing his hand away.
"Why? Don't I even have the right to touch you now...?" Kunwar whispered near his neck, his breath warm.
"You are Kunwar... don't forget your dignity," Prakhar pushed him back.
"Dignity? Hah!" Kunwar muttered angrily.
The car sped into a royal mansion. Kunwar had fallen asleep in the car.
Prakhar asked a guard to carry Kunwar inside and went in himself.
But as soon as he left, Kunwar woke up, stopped the guard with a hand gesture, and walked in on his own.
A short while later, Prakhar came out wearing formal clothes instead of his hoodie. Kunwar's eyes narrowed.
"Where are you going?" he asked suspiciously.
"I'm not obliged to answer you, Kunwar," Prakhar replied while putting on his watch and started walking out quickly.
Kunwar kept watching him, then made a call and said—
"Don't let him leave."
As Prakhar exited, he checked his phone screen. His eyes narrowed.
It was Shrey, sitting on the road and crying.
Prakhar threw the phone aside and rushed to his car. He had barely driven a little when he came across a huge tree blocking the road.
"Now what the hell is this...?"He got out in frustration.
The tree was massive—far too heavy to move alone. No one was around either. He glanced down the deserted road, then climbed over the tree and continued on foot.
As soon as he left, a shadow emerged from the trees and made a call—
"He's gone on foot."
Kunwar clenched his fists.
"Who's so important that you couldn't stay even one night..."
A little ahead, Prakhar managed to hitch a ride from a car.
The driver offered him water. Prakhar refused.
"You look like you've come from far... at least drink some water."
The driver insisted, which made Prakhar suspicious. He took out his phone and dialed Kunwar.
Kunwar answered mischievously—
"Ah, what a lucky day... my beloved called me himself..."
Prakhar replied firmly—
"Stop this, Kunwar. Enough of your games. I need to return, and your tricks won't stop me."
There was a pause.
Then a serious voice came from the other end—
"Is there someone special there?"
Prakhar went silent.
"Your silence says it all..."
"There's nothing like that," Prakhar said, cutting him off. "I just don't want to stay here, that's all."
He ended the call and glared at the man beside him.
The driver looked terrified.